My first attempt at a belt

[JoelR]

Guy I shoot with asked me to make a belt for his 4-year-old son. I have never made one so said I would provided he understood that he was my guinea-pig. Belt is 1" wide and two 6/7 oz layers thick (1/4" measured)

So, I have the belt stitched, burnished, and the buckle holes cut (and a sore butt sitting on the hard seat of my new stitching pony). My two questions are:

1) How far apart is reasonable for the adjustment holes?

2) With the belt being so thick, I assume I should punch oblong holes???

[Luke Hatley]

Belt for a 4 year old, 12-14 oz thick? he will never weare it out.

i would use the bag punch , it would be easy for him to fasten the belt. 3/4" should be fine

Edited December 9, 2009 by Luke Hatley

[JRedding]

We build a belt for a four year old no more than 10 oz. total weight, he'll never wear a belt out before he grows out of it, wearing it out isn't really a concern. Holes are standardly 3/4 " apart and oblong. Five holes is the norm. center hole is the actual size with two holes smaller and two holes larger. If you specifically made it on the large end so he'd wear it longer punch one hole on the smaller side and leave three to grow into. Just how we've done it, hope that helps.

[JRedding]

We build a belt for a four year old no more than 10 oz. total weight, he'll never wear a belt out before he grows out of it, wearing it out isn't really a concern. Holes are standardly 3/4 " apart and oblong. Five holes is the norm. center hole is the actual size with two holes smaller and two holes larger. If you specifically made it on the large end so he'd wear it longer punch one hole on the smaller side and leave three to grow into. Just how we've done it, hope that helps.

[barra]

A general rule that i was taught when making strap goods is to punch holes the width of the strap apart. I don't always stick to that religiously but it is rule of thumb.

Barra

[JoelR]

Yeah, I know the thickness is overkill, but 6/7 is all I have lying around. This is essentially a charity piece - I'm simply charging them for my materials (Merry Christmas) - so I wasn't going to spend the money on a new skin or blanks. I'll pick up an oblong punch today then and have-at-it.

Thanks all for the help.

[8thsinner]

I think buying a punch just for this might be over kill, just punch two sound holes that don't touch or do and chisel or knife the line between them.

[hidepounder]

I agree with everone else that the belt is pretty heavy. If it were me on this one I would probably punch holes 1/2" or 5/8" apart because he is a little guy and maybe punch a couple of extras. Like everyone said....there is no issue with wearing it out, only outgrowing it. The standard for holes is 3/4" apart. If it were me I would go ahead buy the oblong punch but bear in mind I am toolaholic with no hope for recovery, LOL! I purchase tools as I need them and don't look back. My attitude is if I need it once I'm likely to need it again and so I buy it to have for the next time. If you have the opportunity to do another belt you might consider skiving the lining side to a lighter weight before assembly. that is something youwant to do at the fold anyway.

Hope this helps...

Bobby

[MADMAX22]

Make it big so hell grow into it.

I havnt gotten a oblong punch yet and just use the two hole punch with a chisel method but soon Ill be getting the oblong punch as it makes it easier.

Thats all the advice I got lol.

[JoelR]

A little late in the reply, but wanted to thank everyone for their input. The belt ended up being the child's favorite Christmas gift and gave me the confidence to create a smooth belt for my daughter (also 4 years old), a sharkskin belt for my daughter, a gun belt for myself and the child's father is getting a gun belt for his birthday. I really wish I had read that most recommend sticking with short sections of thread instead of trying to complete the entire belt in a single piece of thread. 4 hours of stitching is no fun...

[MADMAX22]

That I learned very quickly, I use basically outstretched arms length is the longest I will use.

It gets easier though as you do more. Ive gotten down to around 2.5hrs or so to do one belt. It only took about 4 or 5 to get to that but oh well. Thats when it pays to have a movie or something to watch lol.